Good morning everyone.
This morning we have our first rib boat tour of the season and are looking forward to revisiting some key areas for Allied losses in Jersey during WW2. Paying our respects, education and sharing the story of those who can not, are the reasons why we do this. Thank you all again for your continued support.
We are a little bit behind on responding to some of the messages, emails and comments but hope to catch up next week so apologies for the delay.
Above is a WW2 German observation post in Bonne Nuit bay connected to La Crête Fort, as seen from the North Coast Boat tour.
80 years ago today in Jersey 18th April 1941
Today would be the 292nd day of the Islands Occupation with 1,482 days remaining.
A two-ounce ration of cooking butter to be issued for one week in addition to the usual 2 ozs. Department of Agriculture issues first list dealing with the prices of plants and plant seeds. German Harbour authorities demand a security deposit of 100 reichsmarks from fishermen for motor and sailing boats and 50 reichsmarks for rowing boats see below:
Further afield this day 80 years ago
18th April 1941
The commonwealth graves commission record 361 deaths this day 80 years ago, the average age was 26.
Above 80 years ago today an R.A.F burial party leaving Thorney Island aerodrome en-route to St. Nicholas Churchyard (Hall) with the Crew of a Junkers Ju 88A-5 (6025) of 2 Staffel./Kampfgeschwader 54. This aircraft is reported to have been shot down by A.A. fire during an attack on Portsmouth. It dived into the ground and blew upon impact.
Atlantic
The United States declared that the Pan-American Security Zone, last defined with the 3 Oct 1939 Declaration of Panama, to be extended to 26 degrees west longitude, 2,300 nautical miles east of New York on the east coast of the United States. It was just 50 nautical miles short of Iceland, which was a major Allied convoy staging area.
Admiral Ernest J. King, commander in chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, ordered U.S. ships and planes to attack any Axis ship within 25 miles of the Western Hemisphere on the assumption it was hostile.
Luftwaffe Action
There was considerable enemy air activity off the east and south-east coasts of the UK on the night of the l7th-18th April. Some of these aircraft were believed to have been minelaying.
Book Recommendation
The April book recommendation is "Six Days." The story centres around the paratroopers of the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division and the brave citizens of the quiet French hamlet. The battle of Grainges maybe not be known as some of the invasion stories but this beautifully illustrated novel captures the true story.
Exploring bunkers Always get permission from the owner Take a torch, a spare and one more for luck Don't go alone & tell someone where you will be and for how long You will get dirty as most are often full of rubbish and may have been used as a public toilet Anything you find still belongs to the person that owns the property Unexploded ordnance is still found in Jersey if you see or find anything that looks like ordnance please call the bomb disposal officer on 01534 612 61
Sources of Information German Documents are housed at The National Archived in Washington or Archive in Kew UK T-78 Roll 317: OKH Coastal and Channel Defenses Files 1940-44 -
T-78 Roll 318: OKH Coastal and Channel Defenses Files 1941-43
T-315 Roll 1639: 216th Security Division War Diary
(Kriegstagebuch), Belgium, France & Russia 1939-42
T-1022 Roll 2423: Various War Diaries (Kriegstagebucher), Channel Islands 1941-44
Atlantic Wall Coastal Battery Lists: Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, & France 1944-45
T-312 Roll 1559: 7th Army War Diary (Kriegstagebuch), France 1941-43 & T-312 Roll 1558
T-315 Roll 1643: 216th Security Division War Diary
(Kriegstagebuch), Belgium, France & Russia 1939-41
T-311 Roll 16: Army Group D War Diary (Kriegstagebuch), Western Front Aug-Nov 1944 Operation Green Arrow - Occupation of the Channel Islands MOD 584 Allied Technical Intelligence Reports 1942-45 German Preparations for Invasion of the United Kingdom 1941-42 B-833, 319th Infantry Division (1941-45) German Seacoast Defenses, European Theatre - prepared by the Artillery Evaluation Board
BBC News & Archives
The Britannica Jersey Occupied by Michael Ginns - ISBN 978-1-905095-29-2 Operation Nestegg Plans Operation Hardtack Plans Operation Basalt Plans RAF Photos care of The National Collection of Aerial Photography
The National Archive of Newspapers Bundesarchiv - Multiple Photos - and Files A Map of slave labour camps. Kindly Provided by Emilio Pérez Photo's and information provided by fans Onsite visits & internet research
Cabinet Papers Second World War memoranda (cab 661- cab 665) After the Battle Multiple Magazines
CIOS Archive & Publications (become a member here)
If we have used any photos or information which you believe to posted without permission, please contact us at info@jerseywartours.com and we will resolve asap.
Jersey War Tours is Registered with the Jersey Financial Services Commission as a Non-Profit Organisation - NPO1207
Jargon Help
Widerstandsnest (WN) = Resistance Nest (RN) A small pocket of resistance would be made up of small groups of up to 10 men with light weapons. They would man Anti-tank weapons, an observation post or a field gun. Stützpunkt St.P = Strongpoint (STP) The next level up from an RN and consisted of several RN's. STP areas would have a combination of weapons and different branches of the military used. Examples of this can be found with Strongpoint Greve de Lecq and Strongpoint Corbiere Einsatzstellung = Operational Position or Action Post Smaller MG type position generally it was only maned during an alert Feldwache = Field Watch Early resistance nest
Jägerstand
Jäger Casemate was a special design and name for bunkers designed to hold a 10.5cm field gun
